Pestivirus seroprevalence in sheep populations from inland and coastal zones of Turkey

Gümüşova S., Yazıcı Z., Albayrak H.

Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, vol.157, no.12, pp.593-596, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 157 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Journal Name: Revue de Medecine Veterinaire
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.593-596
  • Keywords: Climate, Pestivirus, Seroprevalence, Sheep, Turkey
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, pestivirus seroprevalence was investigated by serum neutralisation test using the NADL strain of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV-NADL) in 2444 sheep blood serum samples collected from a total of 11 provinces in coastal (6) and inland (5) areas of Turkey. Overall pestivirus seropositivity was 18.94 % (463/2444) and the mean BVDV seroprevalence observed in the inland zone was significantly higher than in the coastal zone (p < 0.05). The distribution of antibody titres significantly differed between the coastal and inland sheep populations: proportions of intermediate titres (1:20-1:40) were markedly increased in the coastal area with a warm climate whereas low titres (1:5-1:10) were more frequently observed in the inland region with cold climate. Consequently, pestivirus infections would be enzootic in the inland area and climate, especially a cold climate, can play a major role in the virus incidence.